Britain in Bloom judges prepare to tour Bath

By fcrump

Judges will tour Bath on Friday to inspect the city's efforts to secure success in a prestigious floral competition.

Organisers of Bath's entry into the Britain in Bloom contest are hoping to win the top prize this year as they compete with towns and cities across the country.

For two years the city has missed out on the top spot in the regional part of the contest to Taunton, halting its progress to the national final.

Residents in Oldfield Park hope their entry in the competition's Neighbourhood Scheme Award category will score Bath the extra points it needs.

Volunteers have been working tirelessly for the past three years to brighten up the area and restore Oldfield Park railway station.

Co-ordinator of the On-Board Project, June Player, said more and more people were getting involved.

The scheme, which has seen floral displays including a train and a pig planted alongside the platform, is designed to breathe new life into the once-neglected station.

Mrs Player said: "Many more people are now donating plants, which is good for us with all the financial cutbacks.

"People are also leaving out bottles of water so we can water all the plants easily, which is a great help.

"Now we are in our third year I think people are beginning to realise this wasn't just a one-off thing and this is something which is happening."

There are now 12 permanent volunteers working in the area, which is nearly double the number there was this time last year.

Pupils from Oldfield Park Infants School have also played an active role in the project and children from the junior school's after-school gardening club have grown and planted their own marigolds and nasturtiums.

Anyone who wants to find out more about On-Board or wants to get involved should contact Mrs Player on 01225 341904.

The Britain in Bloom judges will descend on the city on Friday with judging for the Bath in Bloom contest beginning on Saturday.

Staff at the Royal United Hospital have brightened up the entrance with floral displays and hanging baskets.

The flowers have been supplied by Bath and North East Somerset Council's Parks and Green Spaces department and the hospital Friends group.

Richard Ford, vice-chairman of the Friends, said: "We were only too delighted to make a donation towards the costs of the hanging baskets. The vibrant splash of colour from the flowers is welcoming and attractive."

A unique floral display has also been built in Bathwick to impress judges.

The iron gazebo, which has been put up on the roundabout at the bottom of Bathwick Hill, is now decorated with hanging baskets and flowers.

The structure was designed by workers at Bath-based Iron Art and took more than 250 hours to build.

Iron Art, which was founded in 1967, is based in Larkhall and designs and makes furniture and fittings for clients throughout the area. Owner Andy Thearle, who has worked for Iron Art since 1994, said he had had a positive response from the display.

He said: "The response has been fantastic. We have even had emails from people we don't even know saying how great it looks. It is a shame that it can't be there permanently."

A display of 25 paintings from various artists will be on display at the Edgar Modern gallery in Bartlett Street as an unofficial entry in Bath in Bloom's All Year Round Garden category.

The show of flower and still life paintings will open on Friday evening to coincide with the judging.